Fastening device for caps and the like



Nov. 3, v1931. E. H. v'yjT'rENBERG EASTENING DEVICE vFOR CAPS lAND THE LIKE Filed Mauren s, 195o IO INVENTOR ATTORN EYS Patented Nov.- 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE EDWARD H. WITTNBERG, OF LA GROSSE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T NORTHERN EN` GBA'VDSI' G COMPANY, OLA GROSSE, WISCONSIN, .A COBIPORATION OF WISCONSIN FAS'ITILN'ING( DEVICE FOB/CAPS AND THE LIKE l Application led arch 8, 1930. `Serial No. 432,723.

- This invention relates to fastening devices more particularly adapted for fastening closures such as vehicle hub caps, automobile radiator caps, caps for tank filler `openings and the like; the invention especially relating to fastening devices for such purposes in the form of spring catches designed to automat# ically latch two members together in away which will permit their ready detachment by the use of simple tools.

One of the `objects of the invention is to provide aspring catch and associated'parts which will be simple inrconstruction and effective in operation. f

A furtherfand more specific object of the invention is to provide a yieldable catch which commises a spring` tongue so secured to one of the members to be latched as to allow considerable flexing ofthe tongue in the Mlatching operation, but at .the same time sei cure suicient tension in the tongue to firmly latch the members together. l M In the accompanying drawings: x

.Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a hub cap y showing my improved fastening devices applied thereto. y

Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the cap.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the fasteners.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through va portion of a hub and its can in which the improved features are embodied.

Figi 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan of tbeparts shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation, partly in section` the section being taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. y y

Fig. 7 is a planview of a modified form of the holding device. In the ,particular exemplifiction of the invention shown in the drawings. the invention isl shown applied to a vehicle hub cap,

although, as before stated. it is applicable to other uses. A hub cap is indicated at l and v is shown provided with a laterallygextending annular'liange 2 which isA adapted to freely fit in the bore formed by the annular inturned 'i ange Sof the vehicle hub 3 (Fig. 4) and be securel retainedtherein by the spring catches to e described", three being employed in the present case. Each'spring cap is pe 'culiarly formed in that a tongue 5 is bent sharply upward at 6 and then outwardly at 7 on a comparatively large radius, while the free end portion 5 slopes outwardly and downwardly to permit of easy engagement when being inserted in the hub.

' The tongue 5 is'laterally formed from a strip of spring metal, the base of the tongue being attached to a central portion 8 which connects'the ends of a pair of arms 9, 9, the

other ends of said a'rms being attached'to end base portions 10 by narrow base extensions 11. In the, present case the bases 10 have openings 12 to receive rivets 12 whereby the strip may be attached to the inner side of the hub cap flange 2. Rivets .are preferably Aemployed when the hub caps are made of aluminum, or zinc. but in the case of steel or brass hub caps other methods of attachingr the bases to the flange may be used, such as welding.

By this arrangement, a maximum iiexing of the spring tongue is permitted without danger of breakage, as it will be seen that as the tongue is depressed when being inserted in the hub, there is, in addition to the inherent flexibility of the tongue itself, a iexing of the entire structure between the base of the tongue and the bases 10 by reason of torsional stress or twisting action which is set up in the base extensions 11. By reason of the fact that the spring tongue is supported by the comparatively long arms 9,'th1ls flexing action is considerable and permits the spring tongue to be Aformed with a comparatively large bend` near its base as shown which will afford a rm engagement with the hub. In this connection it will be noticed that the construction-is such that the base extensions 11 are at one side of a line passing through the cen, ters of the fastening holes 12 and thatythe arms" 9 project well beyond the other side of the centers of said .holes so that but a comparatively small amount of torsional stress in able movement lof the base ofY the spring tongue in addition tothe inherent flexibility' thereof.

the base extensions 11 will permit consider- The spring strip conforms to the contour of the inner side of the Bange 2, and the Bange is provided with an opening 13 to accommodate the bend of the .spring tongue. Infoperation, when the cap is inserted the. inclined portion y of each of the spring tongues contacting the hub cap 3 depresses the tongue until the apex of the bend rides under the Bange, after which the tongue .springs to its normal position, as shown in Fig.4 to lfirmly lock the cap in place. While the cap, when provided withv a plurality of spring catches-as described, is easily l inserted in place by manual means, it is not I tions froin the base portions 10 whichA perreadily removable except by the use of a todi such as a screw-driver, the blade being forced into the crevices between the bead 1 and the Bange 3. In the event it is desired to utilize the principles ofthe sprin catch as specified for such articles as tank ller-spout`caps, it is only necessary to reduce the extent to which the tongue 5 projects beyond the outer surface of the Bange to provide anvv easily removable cap by manual means. A

In Fig 7 the form of the holding device is shown lslightly modified.l In this modified construction the base extensions, indicated at' 11" Vare shown projecting in opposite direc- Vmits the arms, indicated at 9', Vto bemore widely separated and furnish a greater `'de-- gree of flexibility for the connecting portion 8.v and the catch, indicated at 5.

same to extend beyond the outer periphery.

4of said Bange in line with .said abutment.

. 2. In a fastener for a pair of members to be fastened together, one of whichhas an integral inwardly extending portionsubstantially at right angles thereto forming a bore .and the l other of which has an annular Bange adapted to Bt said bore,';.'of a plurality of fastening devices each having a bent spring tongue secured to the inner face .of saidv 7 of which hasa integral inwardly extend-l ..05

. Babnge, said Bange being'apert-ured to accomm date the.

bentlportions lof said tongues to permit the" same to extend beyond the outer face of said Bange in line'with said inwardly extending portion. f. f 3. In a fastener of the character described` a member havin a circular aperture, the wall in'g fannular Bange, a cap "having a lat-I tured to accommodate the bent portions of said tongues to permit the same to extend beyond the outer periphery of said cap Bange in line with thesaid inwardly extending Bange to be initially depressed thereby and thereafter engage the inner'side thereof.

4. In a fastener for a pair of members t0 be fastened together one of which has an abutment and the other of which supports the fastener, of a strip of spring metal consisting of a pair of separated base portions, an arnr extending from each base, a central portion connecting said arms, and a bent spring tongue extending from said central portion, together with means for securing the base portions to said fastener supporting member.

5. In a fastener for a pair of members to be fastened together one of which has an abutment and the other of which supports the fastener, of a strip of spring metal con\90 sisting of a pair of separated base portions, a base 'extension projectingfrom each base portion at one side of a line drawn through the centerof said base portions, an arm extending from each base extension and terminating well beyond the other side of said central line, a central portion connecting said arms, and a bent spring tongue projecting from said central portionV cooperating with said abutment, together with means for connecting the end base portions to `the sup- I porting member. 6. In a fastener for a' pair of members to 4be fastenedtogether, one of which has an abutment and the other of which supports the`fastener, of a strip of spring metal having a pair of attaching portionsasecured to the fastener supporting member, the intermediate portion of said strip being of U-shaped form'. the legs of said U-shaped portion being secured to said attaching portions, and a spring tongue projecting Afrom"the central lpart of saidU-shapedportion, said tongue eing provided -with a pronounced bend closely adjacent its point of connection with l said Ufshaped portion.

i 7. A fastener fortwo structures, 'one of which has an inturned annular Bange Mforni'- ing abore and the other a l teral annular.

of'a spring metal member-attached at each l end tothe vinner surface of said lateral Bange,

ythe lintermediate porti'on.` offsai-d membery being4 so formed as to yield. inwardly. away from said Bange under'pressure, and a tongue extending from saidintermediate portion having apronounced bend near Ithe point of I connection-which *normally extends through Bange adapted to seat inthe bo e consisting 20' -my hand this 15th day of February of said inturned ange, the outer portion of said ton e being inclined.

8. A astener for a pair of members to be fastened together, one of which has an abut` ment and the other of which supports the fastener, of a strip of spring metal having a pair of separatedbase portions adapted to be,

secured to the fastener supporting member, a base extension on each base portion, said base extensions projecting in opposite directions, an-arm connected with each extension, said arms projecting in substantially parallei' relation, a central portion connecting said arms, and a bent spring tongue extending from said central portion adapted for engagement with said abutment.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 1930. EDWARD H. WITTENERG. 

